The car stopped in front of the store long enough for Jason Barnes, owner of another store on Main Street, to try and rescue Knight. During his first attempt, the rush of the water knocked him off his feet.

"I didn't know how I was going to get out," Knight told the Baltimore Sun of that moment. "The water was rushing so strong. You saw him get washed away. I didn't want to get washed away also."

But Barnes did not give up. He quickly organized a human chain, and a nail-biting two minutes later, the residents reached the passenger side of Knight's car.

"I can't do this," she yelled in the video.

"You have to," someone from the store shouted back.

After encouraging her to climb out the window of her car, Barnes grabbed her and passed her to one of the people in the human chain.

In the aftermath of a tragedy, the video of Barnes and his human chain serves as a reminder that even in the most unlikely of circumstances, there are heroes among us willing to risk their lives to save neighbors they've never met. It's hard to imagine a more powerful demonstration of character, or of humanity.

Taking The Lede is an A Plus original series featuring ordinary people who quietly do extraordinary things. We believe these unsung heroes deserve their place in the headlines.